The Power of Advertising
I’ve never eaten Lyons Maid ice cream…but a commercial I’ve never seen makes me want to eat this wondrous foodstuff. In 1969, indecently – the year I was born – David Bowie starred in a 30 second commercial for Lyons Maid ice cream filmed by Ridley friggin’ Scott.
Alex got a rubber snake from one of his teachers as a Christmas present. That teacher just shot to the top of Alex’s “You kick ass lady” list. Um, I hope he really doesn’t have one of those. I’ll have to say: “Young man, I’m going to wash that list out with soap!” – or some dad shit like that.
Last day of school for Kim and Alex tomorrow!!!! I would say how happy I am to have them home, but they’re not going to be home for long. They’re going to the OF. I was hoping that TR, Shawn, Riley and Shawn’s P’s would stay out here so my family would be out here the whole Christmas break – but it was not to be (or be). So Kim and Alex will probably leave Monday morning – or just stay in the area after we do my Dad’s b-day on Sunday.
Alex and I watched Spiderman and Daredevil take on the Kingpin. I haven’t watched Countdown all week (like the one tv show I watch) because Alex’s favorite show is on at 7pm and we love to watch it together. I’d save the KO show to the DVR but knowing me, by the time I’d get to it – it wouldn’t be news anymore.
I need to find a way to relinquish some control of my news viewing/listening. My main source lately has been NPR on line…but I have total control of what I listen to on that – because I don’t just call up the live feed – I pick and choose what stories I want to hear. Continuing in this way will inevitably lead me to be a very narrow-minded person…or worse – ILL-INFORMED. Aw phooey – I thought I was all cosmopolitan – but I’m really just a grasshopper. I’m not even e-cosmopolitan.
The good news is I’ve been doing a lot of work on the John Adams thing. For anyone who’s been disappointed that I have not returned to some of our earlier topics – I’m in full dumb-ass mode following the end of the semester. Also – I’m doing tons of reading and writing for the diz – so what little of my mind is left is focused on that crap. Adams paid a high price for being right about the Revolution in France. Contemporary American politicians seem to be willing to look to the founding of the American regime for guidance with respect to bringing about a fledgling democracy. Adams offers interesting advice on what it means to export democracy and how possible/desirable that is.
It’s so funny how Jefferson and Madison understood immediately the political ramifications of supporting the Jacobins – whatever…and they (especially Jefferson) profited in the election of 1800 – but Adams understood all too well the great potential for long-term convulsions in France – and his early response to the FR – as well as some diplomatic shit that was beyond his control – all served to get his ass beat. It’s so wonderfully American – to be right in the long run but lose the election.
This is my blog – love it or leave it!
wait, come back – I was only joking
I’m so lonely.
Alex got a rubber snake from one of his teachers as a Christmas present. That teacher just shot to the top of Alex’s “You kick ass lady” list. Um, I hope he really doesn’t have one of those. I’ll have to say: “Young man, I’m going to wash that list out with soap!” – or some dad shit like that.
Last day of school for Kim and Alex tomorrow!!!! I would say how happy I am to have them home, but they’re not going to be home for long. They’re going to the OF. I was hoping that TR, Shawn, Riley and Shawn’s P’s would stay out here so my family would be out here the whole Christmas break – but it was not to be (or be). So Kim and Alex will probably leave Monday morning – or just stay in the area after we do my Dad’s b-day on Sunday.
Alex and I watched Spiderman and Daredevil take on the Kingpin. I haven’t watched Countdown all week (like the one tv show I watch) because Alex’s favorite show is on at 7pm and we love to watch it together. I’d save the KO show to the DVR but knowing me, by the time I’d get to it – it wouldn’t be news anymore.
I need to find a way to relinquish some control of my news viewing/listening. My main source lately has been NPR on line…but I have total control of what I listen to on that – because I don’t just call up the live feed – I pick and choose what stories I want to hear. Continuing in this way will inevitably lead me to be a very narrow-minded person…or worse – ILL-INFORMED. Aw phooey – I thought I was all cosmopolitan – but I’m really just a grasshopper. I’m not even e-cosmopolitan.
The good news is I’ve been doing a lot of work on the John Adams thing. For anyone who’s been disappointed that I have not returned to some of our earlier topics – I’m in full dumb-ass mode following the end of the semester. Also – I’m doing tons of reading and writing for the diz – so what little of my mind is left is focused on that crap. Adams paid a high price for being right about the Revolution in France. Contemporary American politicians seem to be willing to look to the founding of the American regime for guidance with respect to bringing about a fledgling democracy. Adams offers interesting advice on what it means to export democracy and how possible/desirable that is.
It’s so funny how Jefferson and Madison understood immediately the political ramifications of supporting the Jacobins – whatever…and they (especially Jefferson) profited in the election of 1800 – but Adams understood all too well the great potential for long-term convulsions in France – and his early response to the FR – as well as some diplomatic shit that was beyond his control – all served to get his ass beat. It’s so wonderfully American – to be right in the long run but lose the election.
This is my blog – love it or leave it!
wait, come back – I was only joking
I’m so lonely.
posted by edP | 7:27 PM
6 Comments:
What does the French Revolution have to do with "exporting" democracy?
Jefferson and his confederates (not that kind of confederate) thought that it was America's duty to promote democracy wherever it might spring up. They thought it was the way of the future - for old Europe (at least - maybe everywhere)...does part of this argument sound familiar or, dare I say - current? That's why Adams' thought is so interesting to me right now. Our president and his speechwriters have been (the last week or so) happily going down this trail about the pitfalls of establishing American democracy and how our Founders overcame these pitfalls. Adams' thought (in his Defense of Government and Discources on Davilia) provides a different view of democracy and how "easy" and "natural" it was/is/will be. Even though Adams is the writer of the oldest constitution still working (The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachussettes) - his thought in these matters is relegated to the blah blah blah of history. Adams' thought suggests that democratic or republican principles aren't a panacea for the ills of man - and this strain of his thought - in conjunction with his early repudiation of the FR - along with other circumstances beyond his control - cost him the election of 1800. The first incumbant president to lose an election didn't even finish second. That sucks. In my work - Adams' thought gets (what I think) its fair due - and it is an example of one of our Founders saying something very different from what some certain leading lights in foreign policy today - have to say about democracy. Maybe, if people are interested I'll talk more about this later. But exporting democracy was part of Jefferson and the pro FR Democratic-Republicans rhetoric back at the turn of three centuries ago.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Brings up a lot of thoughts--I'll try to be brief.
It never ceases to amaze me how much everything we currently are going through as a country had been gone through since the founding of the country. Virtually every issue we find ourselves grappling with has been in existence and discussed at least since then.
I think journalists--even the best--in any field--create a sort of illusion of the "new" and "discovery" and talk about "these days" as if they haven't already happened, aren't part of a "continuum." (Don't even get me started on rock critics). Not that it's their job to be history teachers. Imagine if, while discussing current events, they interject "You know, the Federalist Papers shows they used to discuss..." Ain't very practical.
2. If I understand you correctly Adams was therefore probably not big on "equality?" Never a good political move, though highly truthful and sensible.
3. Regarding promoting or even "exporting" democracy--I wonder if we'll ever know whether this administration has any idealistic notions regarding "equality" and the "stabilizing/healing power" of democracy (I highly doubt they do)--which makes their rhetoric possibly cynical. But ingenious nevertheless as rhetoric, because to oppose them, you must refute their rhetoric, and in doing so--risk Adams' fate (lost elections), or worse ("you don't think Arabic or Muslim people are capable of democracy? Are you racist?") It doesn't hurt that Democracts have not been able to successfully frame a counter-argument without looking foolish.
Not that "democracy" is not worth championing or that it can't alleviate more dire forms of social order.
What I mean to say is that we'll probably never explicitly understand what their real priorities are. They could very well be "democracy in the Middle East" and the only thing you'll have to refute it is nothing more than a gut feeling. I notice this administration is extra careful, rhetorically. If they were to be accused outright of setting up a stronghold in an economically/strategically crucial Middle Eastern nation, they can point to someone, somewhere (maybe even Bush himself) who states just that, and say "See? We didn't lie about it." It is not important in terms of "truth:" the important thing is that it not be seen as THE reason for the war.
Of course it doesn't hurt that there is plenty of footage of Clinton, Gore, Kerry using the same language as Bush's original justifications.
I love your blog, Ed. I'll take it!
best regards, nice info » » »
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